SCORE Awards Spotlight Outstanding Small Businesses

Entrepreneurs and Supporters Honored at September Event

WASHINGTON, Sept. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- SCORE-www.score.org-'mentors to America's small business,' announces the winners of the 3rd annual SCORE Awards for entrepreneurial excellence and support of America's small businesses. The SCORE Awards gala will be held September 15th at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C.

SCORE CEO Ken Yancey says, "Despite a tough economic year, many small businesses were able to survive and thrive. The SCORE Awards celebrates and honors these successful and innovative entrepreneurs and the small business advocates who support entrepreneurship in America." Yancey adds, "It is important for us to recognize those businesses that are supporting their community through their success."

The SCORE Foundation President Mark Dobosz says, "In our third year of the SCORE Awards, we look forward to honoring clients and supporters that inspire other small businesses as they proceed on their path to success. SCORE is honored to celebrate the people and businesses that fuel social progress and economic success in America."

Awards will be presented to:

• Outstanding Minority-owned Small Business, Sponsored by AT&T: American Product Distributors Inc.- C. Ray Kennedy – Charlotte, NC
• Outstanding Small Business Launch by an Individual 50+, Sponsored by Deluxe Corporation: Healthy Life Clinic, Inc.- Gary Bickford – Knoxville, TN
• Outstanding Veteran-owned Small Business, Sponsored by Insperity: Spinal Health & Wellness LLC- Dolly Garnecki, B.A., D.C.- Charlottesville, VA
• Outstanding Woman-owned Small Business, Sponsored by Constant Contact:
• School House LLC- Rachel Weeks- Durham, NC
• Outstanding Socially Progressive Small Business, Sponsored by The Office Depot Foundation: East Cooper Meals on Wheels- Patricia Walker-Mount Pleasant, SC
• Outstanding Non-Profit Organization, Sponsored by The Office Depot Foundation: Young Adult Development in Action – YouthBuild (YBL)- Lynn Rippy-Louisville, KY
• House Small Business Champion - Representative Sam Graves (R – MO)
• Senate Small Business Champion - Senator Mary Landrieu (D – LA)

In addition to recognizing these SCORE Award winners, and after thousands of entries nationwide, the Grand Prize winner of the SCORE/American Airlines "Flights. Camera. Action" contest will be revealed at the 2011 SCORE Awards (www.aa.com/newsroom).

Each year, SCORE recognizes outstanding volunteerism on behalf of both SCORE and the small business community through its Lou Campanelli Award. The SCORE Foundation is pleased to present the 2011 Lou Campanelli Award to Gail Goodman, CEO, Constant Contact, Waltham, MA.

A small business expert and visionary, Gail has revolutionized the way that small businesses and organizations can effectively and affordably build relationships with their customers, clients, and members. Since taking leadership of Constant Contact in April 1999, she has led the company to more than 450,000 customers worldwide and its initial public offering on NASDAQ in October 2007.  

What: SCORE Awards
Date: Sept. 15, 2011
Time: 6:00-10:00 p.m.
Place: Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20004

For more information, or to attend this event, please contact Shalini Karnani at 800/634-0245 or [email protected]. Learn more at http://www.score.org/score_awards.

About SCORE:
SCORE has helped create more than 90,000 jobs over the past two years. With a strong network of more than 13,000 volunteers with a wide variety of expertise from 364 chapters nationwide, SCORE volunteers provide entrepreneurs and small business owners free advice and low-cost local workshops. SCORE, a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration, also offers free online resources, templates and tools to help entrepreneurs start and grow their business. www.score.org.

For more information about starting or operating a small business, call 1-800/634-0245 for the SCORE chapter nearest you. Visit SCORE at www.score.org. Connect with SCORE at www.facebook.com/SCOREFans and http://twitter.com/SCOREMentors.

About The SCORE Foundation: The mission of The SCORE Foundation is to support and leverage the work of SCORE by soliciting, investing and managing resources for the benefit of SCORE. Learn more about The SCORE Foundation at www.scorefoundation.org.

Contact Information
Shalini Karnani
Communications Manager
703/487-3645; [email protected]

SOURCE SCORE Foundation